Ready, Aim, Fire
On Target
One day she said to us: “You boys are supposed to be great athletes, why don’t you try standing closer to the toilet and have better aim?”
It was probably then I complained to Pop about mom’s expectations. I explained that we were obviously men and superior to the women in our family since we were unified in our love affair with sports. Pop didn’t even hesitate with an answer. “Your mother is a Saint. One day you will realize how much she has been able to help so many people through her work with the church and as a teacher.”
He knew. It took me awhile to understand that.
Uh-Oh
We had about twelve acres and there were two barns on our property. The first one was destroyed when I was experimenting with cigarettes. I was probably about twelve at the time. I don’t think I ever ‘fessed up to that. Uncle Art was just leaving, and he came back in and said “Walt, your barns on fire.” My dad just glared at me, so I guess he kinda knew. We had the local volunteer fire department there that night for a few hours. Many of those who had attended church in the firehouse showed up and we could feel the heat all the way to the back porch.
Mom never said a word.
This photo is on the front lawn, with Walt’s mom and dad Agnes and Dan. Agnes is holding Dennis and David. Note the barn in the background
The Goshen Fair
The second barn was a beauty. I remember I was life guarding at Paradise Park, so I was about sixteen at the time, making it 1961. Someone came up to me and said “I just drove by your home and the barn is on fire.”
I was playing with my chemistry set with Mark Cowman and we attempted to make a few explosives. I guess a few sparks remained in the chicken coop after we left. Everything was dry tinder and it went up in smoke. Cindy was planning on going to the Goshen Fair that day and held a grudge for years.
What can I say? I still like bonfires to this day.
